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Matthew D’Oyly Receives Vanderbush-Weller Award

Submitted by Julie Huisingh on Mon, 2010-05-03 11:09

Matthew D'Oyly, who is residential life coordinator in Kollen Hall at Hope College and assisting producing director with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT), has been named recipient of the college's 11th annual "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" award for strong, positive impact on students.

The award recognizes and supports the efforts of Hope faculty and staff who make extraordinary contributions to the lives of students. D'Oyly will be honored during a dinner on Thursday, May 6, held in conjunction with the spring meeting of the college's Board of Trustees.

"Matt has been a dynamic source of energy these past five years as he has engaged students, ideas and opportunities on Hope's campus. Over this time, Matt has become well known for his many talents, creativity and passion for people," said Dr. Richard Frost, vice president and dean of students at Hope, whose office coordinates the award, which is presented based on nominations from the campus community. "We are deeply appreciative for all that he has given the Hope community."

D'Oyly first became a member of the Hope community in 2002 as a student intern with HSRT while pursuing his undergraduate degree in theatre technical design at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. He was prompted to seek his academic-year position in residence life in 2005, while finishing his master's in education in college student affairs leadership from GrandValley State University. Based on his positive experience with HSRT, he wanted to find a way to continue to work at Hope and live in West Michigan, having been raised in Grand Haven.

In addition to his work in Kollen Hall specifically, he has been active in the student life program at Hope in multiple ways, has sung in Vespers and other performances with the College Chorus, and can often be heard singing the National Anthem at HopeCollege sporting events.

Recently, he was given the honor of being elected as an honorary member of the Emersonian Fraternity, of which he is the advisor. He has also served as the advisor for the Inter-Fraternity Council and the award-winning "Milestone" yearbook, a judge for both the college's annual Pull and Nykerk Cup competitions, the chair of the development and training committee for residential life and housing, and as coordinator of the alcohol-education programs. In 2008, he was invited to present his alcohol campaign initiatives at the American College Personnel Association's National Conference in Atlanta, Ga.

D'Oyly advises the mascot program at Hope, and is frequently seen with the Hope mascot "Dutch" at campus and community events. He served as an NCAA ambassador for when Hope hosted the Division III final four in women's basketball in 2008 and 2009. He was integral in the inaugural year production staff of the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse and has created many other initiatives to connect the college with students and increase productivity among the residential life staff.

As assistant producing director, he is active in a variety of aspects of the management of HSRT, which stages multiple productions for adults and children both on campus and in the community between June and August. In April 2008 he accompanied the college's students and provided staff support when the department of theatre's production of "Rose and the Rime" was selected for presentation during the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) National Festival in Washington, D.C.

D'Oyly is also a graphic designer designing logos, posters and t-shirts for many local organizations. Due to his passion for the arts, Matthew was instrumental in establishing the Mona Shores Choir Fund through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. In August, he will start his appointment on the Otterbein College Alumni board.

The "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" was established in honor of longtime Hope professor and football coach Alvin Vanderbush, who retired in 1972 and died on Feb. 20, 2005. It was created by Ken and Shirely Weller of Pella, Iowa. Ken Weller is one of Vanderbush's former players and also a former Hope faculty colleague.